Kalbarri
Also known as: Z-Bend, Kalbarri NP
Murchison-River-Z-Bend-gorge; red-sandstone; Coral-Coast
The climbing
What there is to climb at Kalbarri, and whether a mixed-ability group can split up here.
~100-routes-plus-100+-boulders (~25-sport) (theCrag)
She Magic 25; Intimacy 27; Obscene Gesture 18; Promenade-linkups-24-29
sport-Promenade-strong-climbers; easy-trad-and-boulders-for-others; Wonderland-100+-problems
Z-Bend-carpark-then-scramble-into-gorge; suits-fit-adventurous-groups
Rock & setting
Tumblagooda-sandstone; solid-featured; occasional-sandy-holds
Tumblagooda-sandstone; steep-sport-Promenade-to-60deg; longer-trad-multipitch-gorge; Wonderland-highball-roof-boulders
gorge-walls-mixed-aspect; limited-midday-shade
quiet-remote; one-of-WA's-best-known-crags
Season & conditions
cool-winter-months; gorge-dangerously-hot-summer-40-50C; gorge-closes-in-extreme-heat
May-Oct; Aug-Sep-best
winter-spring-wildflowers; Murchison-River-waterholes
extreme-summer-heat; gorge-heat-trap; Loop-trail-closes-after-7am-Nov-Mar; rare-flash-flood
Approach & gear
Kalbarri-National-Park-DBCA; WA-Parks-Pass-required; gorge-camping-not-permitted. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
sealed-road-to-Z-Bend-carpark; ~500m-to-lookout-then-scramble-down-gully
~600km-N-of-Perth; via-Kalbarri-town; sealed-road-to-Z-Bend. Confirm.
sport-draws-plus-trad-rack; bring-plenty-water; limited-reception-in-gorge. Confirm.
Z-Bend-Group-Campsite-~$8pp-book-via-Kalbarri-visitor-centre; Kalbarri-town-caravan-parks-and-motels. Confirm.
carpark-toilets-at-Z-Bend; services-in-Kalbarri-town
Bolting & safety
sport-bolts-Promenade; trad-anchors-elsewhere; check-fixed-gear. Confirm.
extreme-heat; dehydration; snakes; scrambling-access; remoteness
self-sufficient; some-adventure-tour-operators-in-town
remote; limited-gorge-reception; Kalbarri-health-service; carry-PLB-and-water
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand crag report. Coordinates are approximate.